Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a refrigerator compartment door selectively closing the refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment door selectively closing the freezer compartment, and a dispenser installed on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door to dispense drinking water through the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a refrigerator is an apparatus for storing foods at low temperature, and is configured to refrigerate or freeze the foods according to the state of the foods to be stored.

The inside of the refrigerator is cooled by continually supplying cool air generated through heat exchange of refrigerant in a repeating compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation cycle. The cool air supplied into the refrigerator is uniformly distributed inside the refrigerator due to convection current to enable the foods to be stored in the refrigerator at a desired temperature.

Due to a modern trend of enlarging and providing multifunctional refrigerators, brought about by diversifying user preferences and changing eating habits, a wide range of products with different configurations is being marketed.

A dispenser for dispensing water is provided in the refrigerator to improve user's convenience. Typically, the dispenser is installed in an outer surface of a refrigerator door to dispense the water.

Alternatively, the dispenser may be provided inside the refrigerator except the outer surface of the refrigerator door.

Representatively, a refrigerator in which a dispenser is provided in an inner surface of a refrigerator compartment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,114. A refrigerator in which a dispenser is provided in an inner surface of a refrigerator compartment on the opposite side of a door rotation coupling part is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,682.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a dispenser can be provided on a rear surface of a refrigerator compartment door to dispense drinking water from the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.

Embodiments also provide a refrigerator in which a refrigerator compartment is disposed above a freezer compartment, and a dispenser for dispensing drinking water is provided on a lower end of a rear surface of a refrigerator compartment door.

Embodiments further also provide a refrigerator in which a refrigerator compartment is disposed below a freezer compartment, and a dispenser for dispensing drinking water is provided on an upper end of a rear surface of a refrigerator compartment door.

Technical Solution

In one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; a refrigerator compartment door selectively closing the refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment door selectively closing the freezer compartment; and a dispenser installed on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door to dispense drinking water through the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.

In another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body defining an upper refrigerator compartment and a lower freezer compartment; a refrigerator compartment door selectively closing the refrigerator compartment; and a dispenser provided on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door to dispense drinking water, wherein the dispenser is disposed on a lower end of the refrigerator compartment door.

In further another embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a main body in which a refrigerator compartment is disposed below a freezer compartment; a refrigerator compartment door rotatably provided on the main body, the refrigerator compartment selectively closing the refrigerator compartment; a dispenser provided on a rear surface of the refrigerator door to dispense drinking water; and wherein the dispenser is disposed on an upper end of the refrigerator compartment door.

Advantageous Effects

According to the embodiments, the dispenser is provided on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door, and a handle is disposed at a position corresponding to that of the dispenser to easily dispense the drinking water after the door is opened. Thus, after the door is rotated, the drinking water is easily dispensed through the dispenser to improve the user's convenience.

Also, in case where the refrigerator compartment is disposed above the freezer compartment, the dispenser is provided on the lower end of the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door, and in case where the refrigerator compartment is disposed below the freezer compartment, the dispenser is provided on the upper end of the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door to facilitate a user's access using the dispenser. Thus, the drinking water can be easily dispensed to improve the user's convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator with opened doors according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a door according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a door according to another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a door according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a refrigerator with opened doors according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a refrigerator with an opened door according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is partially exploded perspective view of the door according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The spirit and scope of the present disclosure, however, shall not be construed as being limited to embodiments provided herein. Rather, it will be apparent that other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure may easily be derived through adding, modifying, and deleting elements herein.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view of a refrigerator with opened doors according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a main body 110 of a refrigerator 100 according to the embodiment includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator to perform a refrigerating cycle for generating cool air, and a storage space is provided in the main body 110. A barrier 112 divides the storage space into left and right sides to respectively provide a freezer compartment 120 and a refrigerator compartment 130.

The main body 110 is provided with a door 160 selectively closing the freezer compartment 120 and the refrigerator compartment 130, respectively. The door assembly 140 includes a freezer compartment door 150 selectively closing the freezer compartment 120, and a refrigerator compartment door 140 selectively closing the refrigerator compartment 130.

The refrigerator compartment door 140 and the freezer compartment door 150 are rotatably coupled to the main body 110 through hinges 114 to selectively close the refrigerator compartment 130 and the freezer compartment 120, respectively. Door handles 162 to be grasped by a user during a rotation operation are provided on front surfaces of the refrigerator compartment door 140 and the freezer compartment door 150, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the door handles 162 are vertically disposed on end portions adjacent to each other of the front surfaces of the refrigerator compartment door 140 and the freezer compartment door 150, respectively. The door handles 162 may be disposed on only portions of an approximately central portion of the front surface of the door 160. The door handles may be provided in various graspable shapes such as an inwardly recessed shape.

A plurality of shelves and a plurality of drawers are provided inside the refrigerator compartment 130 and the freezer compartment 120 to partition inner spaces of the refrigerator compartment 130 and the freezer compartment 120 and provide spaces for storing foods, respectively. A plurality of receiving members for receiving the foods is provided on the rear surfaces of the refrigerator compartment door 140 and the freezer compartment door 150. The receiving member may include a basket 142 or different components that can receive the foods, and at least portion thereof may be changed in an installation position by the user.

The basket 142 of the receiving member is provided in plurality on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140. The basket 142 has a predetermined depth to provide a receiving space having an opened top surface. If necessary, at least portion of the basket 142 may be tilted forwardly or detachable from the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140. In addition, the basket 142 may be changeable in an installation position by the user.

The receiving member includes all components that can be provided on the refrigerator door 140 to receive the foods, such as a shield-type or close-type space including a cover, as well as the basket 142. Hereinafter, the basket 142 of the receiving member will be described as an example, for convenience of explanation and understanding.

The basket 142 is fixedly installed on a door liner 144 defining the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140 and provided in plurality in upward and downward directions. The plurality of baskets 142 may be vertically adjustable in the installation position, and also, adjustable in a vertical distance therebetween.

A dispenser 170 is provided between two adjacent baskets 172 of the plurality of baskets 142. The dispenser 170 is configured to dispense the drinking water according to user's selection and is disposed toward a front direction when the refrigerator compartment door 140 is opened.

In detail, the dispenser 170 is disposed between the two baskets 142 disposed at an approximately and vertically central portion of the plurality of baskets 142 so that a user's hand can easily access the dispenser 170. Alternatively, different receiving members except the baskets 142 may be provided on an upper portion and/or a lower portion of the dispenser 170.

The dispenser 170 may be disposed in a space between the upper and lower baskets 142. Particularly, the dispenser 170 may be disposed at a position facing a side surface provided with a hinge 114 so that the dispenser 170 can be easily used without completely opening the door 160.

The dispenser 170 may protrude from the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140 so that a front surface (when viewed in FIG. 2) of the dispenser 170 is flushed with a front surface of the basket 142. A water tank 182 for storing the drinking water supplied into the dispenser 170 may be provided in a rear direction of the dispenser 170.

The dispenser 170 may not protrude forward further than the basket 142 and may be directly installed on the door liner 144 defining the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140. In this case, in order to avoid an interference between a container and the basket 142 when the dispenser 170 is used, the basket 142 provided above or below the dispenser 170 may be spaced a predetermined distance from the dispenser 170.

The dispenser 170 includes a dispenser plate 172 defining an outer appearance of the front surface of the dispenser 170, a dispensing member 174, and an operation member 176. The dispenser plate defining the outer appearance of the front surface of the dispenser 170 has a length corresponding to a distance between the upper and lower baskets 142. The dispenser plate 172 may be disposed collinear with a front end of the basket 142. Thus, the dispenser 170 may be coupled and fixed to the basket 142, if necessary, the dispenser may be directly fixed to the rear surface of the refrigerator door 160.

The dispensing member 174 is provided on the dispenser plate 172. The dispensing member 174 has a pipe shape for dispensing the drinking water and is connected to the water tank 182. A guide part 178 is disposed below the dispensing member 174.

The guide part 178 has a shape gradually recessed from the outside thereof toward a central portion. The guide part 178 is protrudingly inclined from an upper direction toward a lower direction to allow the container to be smoothly tilted when the drinking water is dispensed.

If necessary, the dispenser plate 172 may be entirely tilted to allow the container to be easily accessed. As a result, according a tilt angle of the dispenser plate 172, a long container can be used without interfering with different portions within the refrigerator.

The guide part 178 is recessed downward with a predetermined curvature, and an approximately central portion thereof is disposed vertically below the dispensing member 174 and recessed extremely inwardly to guide the container such that a position of the container is smoothly disposed below the dispensing member 174 when the container is accessed.

The operation member 174 is disposed on the dispenser plate 172 adjacent to the dispensing member 174. The operation member 174 is operated by the user to dispense the drinking water from the dispensing member 174. The operation member 174 is configured to selectively open the dispensing member 174.

The operation member includes an upper operation member 175 and a lower operation member 177. The upper operation member 175 is disposed above the dispensing member 174. When the drinking water is dispensed through the dispensing member 174, the upper operation member 175 is pressed by the user. The lower operation member 177 is disposed below the dispensing member 174. When the drinking water is dispensed, the lower operation member 177 is pressed by the container to allow the container to receive the drinking water.

Thus, when one of the upper operation member 175 and the lower operation member 177 is pressed, the drinking water is dispensed through the dispensing member 174. When the operation member 176 is not pressed, the drinking water is not dispensed through the dispensing member 174.

The operation member 176 may be realized with various methods such as a button, a lever, and a sensor.

A dispenser case 180 may close a rear space of the dispenser 170 so that the rear space has the same cross-section area as that of the dispenser plate 172. The dispenser case 180 covers components disposed in a rear direction of the dispenser plate 172 such as the water tank 182 and a filter so that they are not exposed to the outside. The dispenser case 180 may be detachable or openable/closable to facilitate service and replacement of the water tank 182 and the filter.

The dispenser case 180 may be coupled to the dispenser plate 172 and detachably provided inside the refrigerator in one module shape. Here, if necessary, the water tank 182, the filter, a pump, and a valve may be selectively provided inside the dispenser case 180.

Of course, the water tank 182 may be disposed on a rear side of the refrigerator, the pump is disposed on an upper side of the refrigerator, and the pump and the valve may be provided to one side of the main body, e.g., to a machine compartment, like a general refrigerator without requiring a separate structure in the rear space of the dispenser 170.

A water supply line connecting the dispenser 170 to the water tank 182, the filter, a water supply source passes through the hinge 114 and is guided inside the refrigerator compartment door 140.

Hereinafter, operation of the refrigerator including the above-described components will be described.

In order to receive the foods in the refrigerator 100, the door 160 of the refrigerator 100 is opened, and then the foods are stored in the receiving member. In order to use the dispenser 170, the refrigerator compartment door 140 is rotated.

When the inside of the refrigerator compartment 130 is opened by rotating the refrigerator compartment door 140, a portion of a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140 is exposed to the outside. At this time, the dispenser 170 installed on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140 is exposed according to the rotation of the refrigerator compartment door 140.

Since the dispenser 170 is provided on an outside end of the refrigerator compartment door 140 and disposed at an approximately central portion of a vertical height of the refrigerator compartment door 140, the dispenser 170 may be exposed to the outside as well as be easily accessed for dispensing the drinking water even if the door 160 is not completely opened.

In a state where the dispenser 170 is exposed, the user presses the operation member 176 to allow the drinking water to be supplied from the dispensing member 174.

Here, one hand of the user presses the upper operation member 175 and the other hand grasps the container to dispense the drinking water in a state where the refrigerator compartment door 140 is completely opened. In a state where the refrigerator compartment door 140 is not completely opened, and the door handle 162 is not grasped by the user, the refrigerator compartment door 140 is rotated when the user presses the operation member 176. Thus, the user presses the lower operation member 177 using the container to dispense the drinking water in a state where the user grasps the door handle 162 using the one hand thereof.

In a state where the refrigerator compartment door 140 is opened, the dispenser 170 faces forward as well as is disposed such that the dispenser 170 does not interfere with different adjacent receiving members to prevent interference in access for receiving the foods and dispensing the drinking water.

When a desired amount of the drinking water is dispensed in the container, the operation of the operation member 176 is stopped to complete the dispensing of the drinking water. After the dispensing of the drinking water through the dispenser 170 is completed, the refrigerator compartment door 140 is closed.

Various embodiments in addition to the above embodiment may be applied, and another embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Since this embodiment has the same configuration as the above-described embodiment except configurations of a dispenser and a receiving member, like reference numerals denote like elements and detailed descriptions thereof will now be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a door according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, an inner surface of a refrigerator compartment door 140, i.e., a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140 is defined by a door liner 144. Both sides of the door liner 144 extend in a rear direction. A plurality of receiving members is provided between the both sides of the door liner 144 extending in the rear direction.

The receiving members may include a basket 242 and have various shapes that can receive foods. The receiving members including the basket 242 will be described as an example in this embodiment.

A plurality of baskets 242 is provided in upward and downward directions. Positions of the baskets may be changeable according to a user's operation. The basket 242 disposed at an approximately central portion in a vertical direction of the refrigerator compartment door 140 is horizontally spaced from the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140.

A dispenser 270 is provided between the baskets 242 spaced from each other. The dispenser 270 is configured to dispense drinking water. The dispenser 270 includes a dispenser plate 272, a dispensing member 274, and an operation member 276. The dispenser plate 272 is exposed to the outside. The dispensing member 274 serves as a passage for dispensing the drinking water. The operation member 276 selectively opens and closes the dispensing member 274 to determine dispensation of the drinking water. The operation member 276 includes an upper operation member 275 disposed above the dispensing member 274 and a lower operation member 277 disposed below the dispensing member 274.

Both side ends of the dispenser plate 272 are in contact with the left and right baskets 242, respectively. The dispenser plate 272 has a vertical length corresponding to that of the basket 242. Thus, when the foods are received into the basket 242, it does not interfere with the dispenser 270. Particularly, the dispenser plate 272 is disposed on a front end of the basket 242 and does not protrude to the outside than an outer surface of the basket 242.

A dispenser case 280 is provided in a rear space of the dispenser 270. A water tank 282 and a filter 284 may be disposed inside the dispenser case 280. The water tank 282 stores the drinking water to be supplied into the dispenser 270. The filter 284 filters the drinking water supplied into the dispenser 270. If necessary, a pump and a valve may be further provided.

The dispenser plate 272 is detachably coupled to the dispenser case 280 to facilitate service and replacement of the water tank 282 and the filter 284. The dispenser case 280 is fixed to the left and right baskets 242 and the door liner 144.

The dispenser plate 272 is coupled to the dispenser case 280 to provide one module and may be selectively installed according to a model of a refrigerator. That is, in case of a model in which the dispenser 270 is not provided, a general basket is installed. In case of a model in which the dispenser 270 is provided, the dispenser 270 and the baskets 242 are installed collinear with each other.

The dispenser 270 may be disposed at a central portion of a horizontal direction of the refrigerator compartment door 140, and if necessary, may be biasedly disposed at a side of left and right directions. At this time, the baskets 242 disposed on left and right sides of the dispenser 270 have horizontal lengths different from each other.

Various embodiments in addition to the above embodiment may be applied, and another embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Since this embodiment has the same configuration as the above-described embodiment except configurations of a dispenser and a receiving member, like reference numerals denote like elements and detailed descriptions thereof will now be omitted.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a door according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, an inner surface of a refrigerator compartment door 140, i.e., a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140 is defined by a door liner 144. Both sides of the door liner 144 extend in a rear direction. A plurality of receiving members is provided between the both sides of the door liner 144 extending in the rear direction.

The receiving members may include a basket 342 and have various shapes that can receive foods. The receiving members including the basket 342 will be described as an example in this embodiment.

A plurality of baskets 342 is provided in upward and downward directions. Positions of the baskets 342 may be changeable according to a user's operation. The basket 342 disposed at an approximately central portion in a vertical direction of the refrigerator compartment door 140 has a length somewhat less than a horizontal length of the refrigerator compartment door 140. A dispenser 370 for dispensing drinking water is provided on a side of the basket 342.

In detail, the basket 342 has a length less than that of the other basket 342, and the length of the basket 342 is shorter by a horizontal width of the dispenser 370. The basket 342 is installed on a side end that is a rotation axis of the refrigerator compartment door 140.

Thus, a space having a length equal to a horizontal length of the dispenser 370 is defined from a right end of the basket 342 to a right end of the refrigerator compartment door 140 to install the dispenser 370 therein. That is, the horizontal length in which the dispenser 370 is installed in the basket 342 is equal to that the other basket 342 disposed above/below the refrigerator compartment door 140.

A side of the basket 342 is coupled to a side of the dispenser 370. Thus, the basket 342 and the dispenser 370 may be fixedly installed on the refrigerator compartment door 140, respectively.

The dispenser 370 includes a dispenser plate 372, a dispensing member 374, and an operation member 376. The dispenser plate 372 is exposed to the outside. The dispensing member 374 serves as a passage for dispensing the drinking water. The operation member 376 selectively opens and closes the dispensing member 374 to determine dispensation of the drinking water. The operation member 376 includes an upper operation member 375 disposed above the dispensing member 374 and a lower operation member 377 disposed below the dispensing member 374.

A left side end of the dispenser plate 372 is in contact with a right side end of the left and right baskets 342. The dispenser plate 372 has a vertical length corresponding to that of the basket 342. Thus, when the foods are received into the basket 342, it does not interfere with the dispenser 370. Particularly, the dispenser plate 372 is disposed on a front end of the basket 342 and does not protrude to the outside than an outer surface of the basket 342.

A dispenser case 380 is provided in a rear space of the dispenser 370. At least one of a water tank 382 and a filter 384 may be disposed inside the dispenser case 380. The water tank 382 stores the drinking water to be supplied into the dispenser 370. The filter 384 filters the drinking water supplied into the dispenser 370. If necessary, a pump and a valve may be further provided.

The dispenser plate 372 is detachably coupled to the dispenser case 380 to facilitate service and replacement of the water tank 382 and the filter 384. The dispenser case 380 is fixed to the basket 342 and the door liner 144.

Various embodiments in addition to the above embodiment may be applied, and another embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing. Since this embodiment has the partially same configuration as the above-described embodiment, like reference numerals denote like elements and detailed descriptions thereof will now be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a door according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, at least refrigerator compartment 130 is disposed in a main body 110. A refrigerator compartment door 140 coupled using a hinge is provided on a side of the main body 110.

An inner surface of a refrigerator compartment door 140, i.e., a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 140 is defined by a door liner 144. Both sides of the door liner 144 extend in a rear direction. A plurality of receiving members is provided between the both sides of the door liner 144 extending in the rear direction.

The receiving members may include a basket 442 and have various shapes that can receive foods. The receiving members including the basket 442 will be described as an example in this embodiment.

A plurality of baskets 442 is provided in upward and downward directions. Positions of the baskets 442 may be changeable according to a user's operation. The basket 442 disposed at an approximately central portion in a vertical direction of the refrigerator compartment door 140 has a length somewhat less than a horizontal length of the refrigerator compartment door 140. A dispenser 470 for dispensing drinking water is provided on a side of the basket 442.

In detail, the basket 442 has a length less than that of the other basket 442, and the length of the basket 442 is shorter by a horizontal width of the dispenser 470. The basket 442 is installed on a side end that is a rotation axis of the refrigerator compartment door 140.

Thus, a space having a length equal to a horizontal length of the dispenser 470 is defined from a right end of the basket 442 to a right end of the refrigerator compartment door 140 to install the dispenser 470 therein. That is, the horizontal length in which the dispenser 470 is installed in the basket 442 is equal to that the other basket 442 disposed above/below the refrigerator compartment door 140.

The dispenser 470 is directly installed on a door liner 144, and the basket 442 protrudes to the outside than an outer surface of the dispenser 470. Thus, for dispensing drinking water, a user is accessible to the dispenser 470 through a space provided in a side direction of the basket 442.

The dispenser 470 includes a dispenser plate 472, a dispensing member 474, and operation members 476. The dispenser plate 472 has an approximately rectangular plate shape and is exposed to the outside. The dispensing member 474 passes through the dispenser plate 472 and protrudes to dispense the drinking water. The operation members 476 are respectively provided above and below the dispensing member 474 to selectively perform drinking water supply through the dispensing member 474.

A water tank 482 for storing water supplied into the dispenser 470, a filter 484, and a pump 486 are provided inside the refrigerator compartment 130. The dispenser 470 is connected to a water supply line 488. The water supply line 488 is guided inside the refrigerator compartment door 140 through the hinge 114.

Various embodiments in addition to the above embodiment may be applied, and another embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a refrigerator with opened doors according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, a main body 510 of a refrigerator 500 according to this embodiment includes a storage space therein. A barrier 512 divides the storage space into upper and lower sides to respectively provide a refrigerator compartment 520 and a freezer compartment 530.

The main body 510 is provided with a door 560 selectively closing the storage space.

The door 360 includes a refrigerator compartment door 540 closing the refrigerator compartment 530, and a freezer compartment door 550 closing the freezer compartment 520. The refrigerator compartment door 540 is coupled to both sides of the main body 510 through hinges 514, so that the refrigerator compartment door 540 rotates toward the both sides to selectively close and open the refrigerator compartment 530.

A plurality of drawers and a plurality of shelves are provided inside the refrigerator compartment 530 and the freezer compartment 520 to partition an inner space of the refrigerator compartment 530. Also, foods can be received and stored into each of the partitioned inner spaces.

Various components such as a plurality of receiving members and a home bar, or an ice-maker may be provided on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 540. The receiving members include a basket 442 and different storage components adapted for foods to be stored. Hereinafter, the receiving member including the basket 542 will be described as an example, for convenience of explanation and understanding.

A dispenser 570 for dispensing drinking water is provided on a side of one refrigerator compartment door 540 of the refrigerator compartment door 540. The dispenser 570 is provided on a lower end of the refrigerator compartment door 540 and provided at a position at which a user can easily use the dispenser 570 when the refrigerator compartment door 540 is opened.

The dispenser 570 may be provided on an opposite side facing a side that becomes a rotation axis of the refrigerator compartment door 540, i.e., on an outer edge of a lower portion of the door 560. An upper end of the dispenser 570 is in contact with a bottom surface of the basket 542.

An outer surface of the dispenser 570 is disposed on a front end of the basket 542. A front surface (when viewed in FIG. 6) of the dispenser 570 is flushed with a protruding front surface of the basket 542.

A dispenser case 580 is disposed at a side of the dispenser 570. The dispenser case 580 includes at least one of a water tank 582 for storing drinking water supplied into the dispenser 570 and a filter 584.

The dispenser case 580 is coupled to the dispenser 570. A front surface of the dispenser case 580 is flushed with those of the dispenser 570 and the basket 542. Vertical lengths of the dispenser case 580 and the dispenser 570 correspond to a vertical length of the basket 542 to entirely provide a sense of unity.

The dispenser 570 includes a dispenser plate 572, a dispensing member 574, and operation members 576. The dispenser plate 572 has an approximately rectangular plate shape and is exposed to the outside. The dispensing member 574 passes through the dispenser plate 572 and protrudes to dispense the drinking water. The operation members 576 are respectively provided above and below the dispensing member 574 to selectively perform drinking water supply through the dispensing member 574.

Thus, after the refrigerator compartment door 540 is opened, a user operates the operation member 576 to dispense the drinking water from the dispensing member 574.

Various embodiments in addition to the above embodiment may be applied, and another embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a refrigerator with an opened door according to another embodiment, and FIG. 8 is partially exploded perspective view of the door according to the embodiment of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an outer appearance of a refrigerator 600 according to this embodiment is defined by a main body 610 providing a storage space and a door 660 selectively closing the main body 610.

A barrier 612 divides the storage space into upper and lower sides to provide a refrigerator compartment 620 and a freezer compartment 630, respectively. The door 660 includes a refrigerator compartment door 640 selectively closing the refrigerator compartment 630, and a freezer compartment door 650 selectively closing the freezer compartment 620.

A plurality of receiving members is provided on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 640. The receiving members may mainly include a basket 642 and have various shapes that can receive foods.

A plurality of baskets is vertically provided on the rear surface of the door 660. Each of the baskets may be detachable as well as vertically adjustable in their position according to a user's selection.

A dispenser 670 for dispensing drinking water is provided on an upper end of the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door 640. The dispenser 670 is provided on a side facing a position of a rotation axis of the refrigerator compartment door 640. In detail, the dispenser 670 is provided on an outer upper edge of the refrigerator compartment door 640 and is disposed at a position corresponding to that of a door handle 662 of the refrigerator compartment door 640.

The dispenser 670 includes a dispenser plate 672, a dispensing member 674, and operation members 676. The dispenser plate 672 has an approximately rectangular plate shape and is exposed to the outside. The dispensing member 674 passes through the dispenser plate 672 and protrudes to dispense the drinking water. The operation members 676 are respectively provided above and below the dispensing member 674 to selectively perform drinking water supply through the dispensing member 674.

The dispenser 670 is directly installed on a door liner 644. A portion of the door liner 644 is recessed to provide an installation part 646. The installation part 646 receives the dispenser 670, a water tank 682, and a filter 684. The installation part 646 is closed by the dispenser 670 and a dispenser case 680 in contact with the dispenser 670 to cover a plurality of components provided therein.

In order to supply water into the dispenser 670, a water supply line 688 connecting a water supply source to the water tank 682, the filter 684, and the dispenser 670 may be guided inside the refrigerator compartment door 640 through the hinge.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the embodiments, the dispenser is provided on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door and is provided at a position at which the user can easily access the dispenser to easily dispense the drinking water. In addition, the dispenser has the module shape, and thus can be applicable to various products to improve industrial applicability. 

1. A refrigerator comprising: a main body defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; a refrigerator compartment door selectively closing the refrigerator compartment; a freezer compartment door selectively closing the freezer compartment; and a dispenser installed on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door to dispense drinking water through the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is provided on a side of the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door corresponding to that of a handle installed on a front surface of the refrigerator compartment door.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a water tank connected to the dispenser and storing the drinking water supplied into the dispenser is provided inside the refrigerator compartment door.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a pump for pumping water into the dispenser is provided inside the refrigerator compartment door.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a filter for filtering water supplied into the dispenser is provided inside the refrigerator compartment door.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein an upper end of the dispenser is in contact with a lower end of a receiving member installed on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.
 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is provided on a side facing a side surface on which a hinge rotatably connecting the refrigerator compartment door to the main body is installed.
 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a receiving member is provided on a side of the dispenser.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein receiving members for receiving foods are provided on both left and right sides of the dispenser.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 9, wherein a front surface of the dispenser is flushed with front surfaces of the receiving members.
 11. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser is provided in a space between upper and lower receiving members disposed on the rear surface of the refrigerator door.
 12. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein a water supply line for supplying water into the dispenser is guided inside the refrigerator compartment door through a hinge allowing the refrigerator compartment door to be rotatably coupled to the main body.
 13. A refrigerator comprising: a main body defining an upper refrigerator compartment and a lower freezer compartment; a refrigerator compartment door selectively closing the refrigerator compartment; and a dispenser provided on a rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door to dispense drinking water, wherein the dispenser is disposed on a lower end of the refrigerator compartment door.
 14. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the dispenser is provided on a lower edge of the refrigerator compartment door away from a rotation center of the refrigerator compartment door.
 15. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the dispenser is provided at a position corresponding to that of a door handle installed on the refrigerator compartment door and grasped by a user.
 16. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein an inwardly recessed dispenser installation part on which the dispenser, a water tank for storing water supplied into the dispenser, and a pump for pumping the water into the dispenser are installed is provided on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.
 17. The refrigerator according to claim 13, wherein the dispenser is integrally assembled with a water tank for storing water supplied into the dispenser and a pump for pumping the water into the dispenser and protrudes from the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.
 18. A refrigerator comprising: a main body in which a refrigerator compartment is disposed below a freezer compartment; a refrigerator compartment door rotatably provided on the main body, the refrigerator compartment selectively closing the refrigerator compartment; a dispenser provided on a rear surface of the refrigerator door to dispense drinking water; and wherein the dispenser is disposed on an upper end of the refrigerator compartment door.
 19. The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein the dispenser is provided on an upper edge of the refrigerator compartment door away from a rotation center of the refrigerator compartment door.
 20. The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein the dispenser is provided at a position corresponding to that of a door handle installed on the refrigerator compartment door and grasped by a user.
 21. The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein an inwardly recessed dispenser installation part on which the dispenser, a water tank for storing water supplied into the dispenser, and a pump for pumping the water into the dispenser are installed is provided on the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door.
 22. The refrigerator according to claim 18, wherein the dispenser is integrally assembled with a water tank for storing water supplied into the dispenser and a pump for pumping the water into the dispenser and protrudes from the rear surface of the refrigerator compartment door. 